Four districts worst-affected by rain, says SRC

Bhubaneswar: As Odisha continues to battle flood-like conditions with most districts under water, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi today tagged four districts as worst-affected.

“Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have been the worst affected, but the situation is under control,” informed Sethi during a presser.

Malkangiri was the worst hit recording highest average rainfall at 165.3 mm. against the state average of 29.7 mm, an SRC report stated. Two blocks in the district received more than 200 mm rainfall in last 24 hours .

“Road communication to different parts of Malkangiri has been snapped following rise in water level at Saberi river,” said Sethi.

While nine blocks in Kalahandi district have been affected and 704 villagers have been shifted to safer places, as many as 126 villages in Koraput have been marooned, he added. Moreover, locals of 10 villages in Koraput who are likely to be affected due to release of water from Indravati reservoir have been shifted to safer places, the SRC informed.

The Public Works department (PWD) and Rural Development department have been asked to restore the communication links snapped due to rain, Sethi said.

“Priority is to rescue the marooned and provide relief. Thereafter, a door-to-door assessment will be carried out to assess the damages,” he said. A team of NDRF personnel and four boats have been deployed for rescue operations.

Meanwhile, two human casualties were reported in Semiliguda of Koraput and Narla of Kalahandi district, he stated.